Method of folding drapery



I. C. THERKILDSEN MEE'HOD 'OF FOLDING DRAPERY May 28, 1968 v Fnebct. 16. 1963 2 Sheets-Sheet l INVENTOR. lam. m6, Due/40:!

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May 28; 1968 l. c. THERKILDSEN METHOD OF FOLDING DRAPERY 2 Sheets-Sheet a Filed Oct. 16, 1963 INVENTOR. [V44 m a, THIPAMDJEW United States Patent 3,385,484 METHQB 0F FOLDING DRAPERY Ivalyn C. Therlriidsen, 565 Worley Ava, Sunnyvale, Calif. 94086 Filed Get. 16, 1963, Ser. No. 316,661 2 Claims. (Ql. 223-37) ABSTRAGI GF THE DISCLGSURE A pleated drapery panel is folded by providing upright pleat grasping members on a substantially horizontal work surface, and successively grasping pleated portions in upright relationship and forming overlying accordion folds between the pleated portions along the length of the panel.

This invention relates generally to a device for holding an article during folding thereof, and to a method for folding such article. More particularly, this invention relates to folding of drapery or like panels in accordion fashion for shipment or storage.

Still more particularly, this invention relates to a folding procedure and to a device for positively and securely grasping and holding stacked and folded predetermined portions at one end of an elongated drapery panel while the remainder of the panel is being folded and stacked in accordance with the folds at such one panel end. This folding is accomplished preparatory to tying or otherwise securing the panel in compact stacked and folded condition for shipment or storage. In this conection the folding procedure of this invention permits a large drapery or like panel to be folded by only one person employing the holding device hereof.

Heretofore the folding of elongated drapery panels has been generally a two-person procedure requiring the services of two cooperating workers. The difficulty encountered in folding such a panel in accordion fashion is increased in proportion to the length and width of the panel being folded. Heretofore in the folding of pleated and other drapery panels, it has been necessary for one person to fold and hold one end of the panel, such as the pleated end, in stacked overlying accordion fashion, while another person formed accordion folds the length of the panel from such end. Even when two persons cooperate as described, with drapery panels having many pleats, such as drapery panels used in floor to ceiling installations in homes or business buildings, the folding of such a large panel requires substantial dexterity on the part of the workers due to the thickness of the accordion folded panel which is produced.

With the invention herein disclosed, the folding and holding procedure is greatly simplified so that one person, employing the device and procedure of this application, can readily perform the function heretofore requiring two persons.

Objects of this invention include the provision of a novel device for holding a panel during folding thereof; the provision of a novel procedure for folding a panel into a compact accordion folded stack; the provision of a holding device for positively grasping predetermined portions of a panel while other folded portions are stacked thereon; the provision in a holding device of holding means which are adjustable on the device to accommodate portions of a panel being folded generally irrespective of the size of such panel; and the provision of a holding device which may be readily positioned on a panel folding work surface. These and other objects of this invention will become apparent from a study of the following description in which reference is directed to the accompanying drawings.

3,385,484 Patented May 28, 1968 FIG. 1 is a generally schematic view illustrating a panel folding procedure heretofore employed requiring the services of two persons.

FIG. 2 is a generally schematic view illustrating the folding procedure of this invention embodying the subject panel holding device.

FIG. 3 is an isometric view of a folded and stacked drapery or like panel secured so that the same may be easily handled for shipment and storage without unfolding.

FIG. 4 is an isometric view of the holding device of this invention.

FIG. 5 is an end elevational view of the subject folding device illustrating generally the manner in which predetermined portions of a panel are positively engaged with the holding means of the device.

Heretofore, as shown in FIG. 1 the folding of large size panels, such as pleated drapery panels 1 having laterally spaced pleats 2 along the end thereof, generally required the services of two workers to manipulate the panel to hold the same during folding. Such folding is frequently carried out following manufacture of the drapery panel or subsequent to manufacture, such as when the drapery panel has been cleaned and the same is being returned to its owner for installation.

\Vith the prior known procedure illustrated in FIG. 1, the elongated panel being folded is spread out on a substantially horizontal supporting surface defined by a work table 3. One of the workers forms an accordion fold between adjacent pleats 2 of the panel while the other worker manipulates the center portion and other end of the panel to extend the accordion fold for the full length of the panel. Thereafter, in succession, the panel is repeatedly folded in accordion fashion by bringing the various pleats into overlying stacked relationship with each other and by extending the accordion folds between adjacent pleats for the length of the panel.

Because of the size of such panels and because of the pleats in such panel frequently are defined by a band or tape of stiffening material, it is not possible for a person to fold the pleated end of a panel and to leave such pleated end unattended while the accordion folds are extended the length of the panel. Thus, as mentioned, it generally has required the services of two persons to effect such folding, particularly of large size drapes.

After a panel has been folded, by employing either a prior art procedure as disclosed in FIG. 1 or by the improved porcedure of this invention, it takes on the appearance shown in FIG. 3 in which the panel is folded in accordion fashion with the pleats 2 overlying each other at one end of the panel and With accordion folds F eX- tending the full length thereof as seen in FIG. 3.

Thereafter, to preclude unfolding of the drapes during shipment and/or storage, means are passed around the stacked and folded panels to maintain the same folded. In this regard, lengths of cord 4 may be tied around each folded panel as seen in FIG. 3, or other suitable means may be employed to preclude unfolding thereof until the panel is installed. In the drawings, for purposes of clarity of illustration, the accordion folds F are shown vertically spaced from each other. In general, depending upon the degree of stiffness of the material from which the panels are formed, the folds F will bend or droop into contact with each other. Also, the amount to which the folds F project from the pleats when a panel is folded depends upon the lateral spacing of the pleats.

Referring to FIGS. 2, 4, and 5, the holding device and folding procedure of this invention, permits one person to readily perform the job heretofore requiring the services of two persons. In this connection, the drapery holding device, generally designated 6, is positioned adjacent a drapery panel supporting surface, such as a work table 3 of the type mentioned previously. The panel to be folded is spread out on the work table and the predetermined portions adjacent one end thereof are successively engaged with the holding device in the manner to be described so that such portions at such end are stacked upright one on the other in overlying relationship and held firmly in such overlying relationship in a compact pack by the device. With one end of the panel thus positively held, it is a simple matter for a single workman to form accordion folds the length of the panel to form a compact accordion folded stack of the type shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. After the formation of such a folded stack, the same workman may tie the folded panel, while one end is still engaged with the device, to preclude unfolding thereof during shipment and/ or storage.

The holding device of this invention in the illustrated embodiment includes means 7 for securing the device to a panel supporting surface, such as to the edge of the work table 3 adjacent one end thereof. Such securing means comprises a generally U-shaped base 8 designed to fit over and beneath an edge of the work table as seen in FIG. 5. An elongated reinforcing brace 9 extends the length of the base 8 underneath the same and is welded or otherwise secured thereto. Brace 9 is provided with two or more spaced apertures 11 each of which is internally threaded to receive therein the threaded shaft of a thumb screw 12 projecting therethrough. At its upper end, each thumb screw is provided with a pad 13 to engage the undersurface of the work table 3. At its opposite end, each thumb screw is provided with an enlarged handle portion 14 provided to facilitate turning of the same so that the device may be securely engaged at any predetermined location at a work table.

The subject device also includes holding means for positively grasping and retaining predetermined folded portions of a panel being folded in upright overlying relationship relative to each other, plus other means for mounting such holding means in suitable position so that the holding means are conveniently located for easy access by a person employing the device in a folding procedure.

The means for mounting the drapery panel holding means in the illustrated embodiment includes an upright mounting frame generally designated 16 which is defined by a pair of laterally spaced frame members 17 projecting upright from the base 8 of the device and projecting through holes provided therein to receive the members 17 as seen best in FIG. 5.

Fastening means in the form of conventional screw members 18 are passed through suitable holes provided in the bight portion of the U-shaped base into threaded engagement with the lower ends of the frame members 17. Extending transversely between the upright laterally spaced frame members are a series of vertically spaced mounting rods 19, opposite ends of which are received in, and maintained in any suitable fashion, in vertically spaced aligned series of bores provided in the frame members 17.

On the vertically spaced mounting rods 19 are clip means designed to be positively engaged with predetermined folded portions of a drapery or like panel being folded. In the illustrated embodiment such clip means for holding the panel comprises at least one spring clip member 20 positioned on each of the mounting rods as best seen in FIG. 4. The clips employed may be of the well known type and in the illustrated embodiment the clips are of the type frequently used for womens skirt hangers which are defined by two legs which are spring urged into contact with each other at one end thereof by a spring member 21 interposed between the two legs of the clip. At their other ends, the legs are normally spaced from each other. The application of pressure on the spaced ends of the legs spread the legs at the gripping end of the clip in well known fashion to permit insertion of an article therebetween. Upon release of such pressure, the spring 21 of the clip urges the gripping ends of the legs toward their normal contacting position to effect secure clamping therebetween of the article positioned therehetween. Thus, if a portion of a drapery or like panel is positioned between the spring urged legs of such a clip, the clip will securely maintain the drapery panel portion in conjunction with the device.

To permit the device to form a very compact panel stack or pack the respective clips preferably are positioned closely adjacent each other in a vertical direction. This close vertical spacing is effected by closely positioning the mounting rods 19 on which the respective clips are positioned. However, because it is necessary With such clips that the normally spread end of the clip be accessible to permit manipulation of the clips, it has been found desirable to stagger vertically adjacent or stacked clips in a lateral or transverse direction relative to each other as seen in FIGS. 2 and 4. That is preferably adjacent clips of the device are not positioned in vertical alignment with each other but rather are offset laterally relative to each other. This permits close vertical spacing of adjacent rods on which adjacent clips are mounted so that the portions of a panel being folded may be brought into close stacked overlying contact with each other in the manner illustrated in FIGS. 2 and 5. In the showing of FIG. 4, the clips on the lower rods of the device have been omitted for clarity of illustration.

Also, for clarity of illustration, in FIG. 5 the drapery portions, namely pleats 2, engaged with the respective clips have not been illustrated fully inserted into the respective clips. It should be understood, however, that full insertion is preferable to insure secure grasping of the drapery panel. Similarly in FIG. 5, the adjacent folds F of the panels are illustrated spaced from each other, and from the surface of work table 3 for clarity of illustration only.

Preferably the respective clips are slidable longitudinally along their respective mounting rods 19 so that the lateral offset relationship of adjacent clips in the series may be modified as desired, depending upon the size of the pleats of the panel being folded. To this end, each leg of the clip is provided with a pair of inwardly extending apertured tabs 22 through which an associated mounting rod passes. Thus, the aligned tabs 22 of each clip leg perform the dual function of operatively interconnecting the two legs of each clip while at the same time serving the purpose of mounting the clip in slidable fashion on its associated mounting rod. Thus the tabs and the associated rod combine to form a fulcrum about which the legs may be rotated. The aforementioned spring 21 of each clip, in the illustrated embodiment is a coil spring positioned around its associated rod 19 between the clip legs.

The subject holding device is employed in the following fashion in a drapery folding procedure. When a drapery panel is spread on the supporting surface defined by work table 3, the lowermost clip of the device, that is, the clamping end of the clip most closely adjacent the base 8 of the device, is spread open and a pleat 2 or folded portion adjacent one side margin of the panel is inserted between the thus spread clip legs, following which the clip is released so that such pleat is securely grasped in spring locked fashion by the clip. Then a U- shaped fold F is formed between the thus held pleat and the next adjacent pleat of the panel, following which such next adjacent pleat is inserted in and grasped by the second clip spaced upwardly from the base of the device.

After the second pleat has been thus grasped, the workman may leave the station at one end of the work table and move along the length of the drape forming a similar U-shaped accordion fold for the length of the panel between the two first and second mentioned pleats just described. Upon returning to the device, the previously described sequence of operation is repeated to form another fold at the pleated end of the panel, followed by insertion of a third pleat into engagement with the third clip of the device. Thereafter another accordion fold is formed the length of the drape by the workman moving from one end of the panel to the other.

This sequence of operations is repeated until each pleat of the panel is securely engaged with a holding clip and until the entire panel is folded in accordion fashion as seen in FIGS. 2 and 5. Thereafter, suitable ties of the type shown at 4 in FIG. 3 may be passed around the stacked and accordion folded panel following which it is a simple matter to simultaneously disengage all the clips from the pleated end of the panel merely by grasping the pleated end and pulling the same from the clips simultaneously.

While heretofore reference has been directed to the sequence in which accordion folds are formed the full length of the panel after each successive pleat has been engaged, with a clip, it should be understood of course that, if preferred, all the successive pleats at one end of the drapery panel could first be engaged with the necessary number of clips of the holding advice, following which the worker may then successively form the accordion folds for the full length of the drape. The exact sequence of operation embodied in employing the subject holding device may.v thus vary depending upon the particular preference of the Worker employing the same, coupled with the size of the panel being folded.

However, it should be understood that an important step of the subject folding procedure is the positive holding of a predetermined portion of the panel being folded at one end of the panel so that a single Workman may form neat folds the length of the panel thereby dispensing with the need of the services of one worker.

The exact number of clips provided on the subject device may vary but preferably a sufiiciently large number of clips is provided so that the device is adapted to accommodate panels of varying sizes having varying number of pleats therein. Generally, a device having to 35 clips should accommodatemost commonly used drapes. A multi-purpose device having clips would meet most needs.

One embodiment which has been found suitable for holding drapes of varying sizes is produced when mounting rods of approximately one-eighth inch in diameter are positioned in the frame members 17 on five-eighth inch vertical centers. Twenty such rods thus spaced, each of which has a single mounting clip thereon, has been found effective for folding many drapery panel sizes frequently encountered. In this regard, the lateral spacing of frame members 17 may vary as required to accommodate a wide range of pleat sizes therebetween.

Because the clips on adjacent rods are laterally staggered as described and shown, ready access is permitted to the spread ends of the legs so that a workman may grasp a given clip without undue interference with adjacent clips above, below or to either side thereof. As noted previously, referring to FIG. 4, many of the clips normally employed with the subject device have been omitted from such figure for purposes of clarity of illustration.

Also, it is contemplated that an extension of the subject device designed to interfit with the framework 1-6 illustrated could be employed to adapt the device to accommodate extremely large size panels to be folded. In this connection, such an extension would fit on the upper end of the device shown and would thus serve as a vertical extension of the same to permit a very large size drape to be compactly packed in stacked overlying folded relationship.

Preferably, the contacting ends 23 of the legs of each clip are coated with a non-slip material, such as a suitable plastic or rubber-base material, to assist in positively maintaining a panel portion or pleat engaged therewith.

It is preferred that the clips are engaged with the pleats of a given panel. Thus, the slidable adjustment of the clips on their respective mounting rods permits the clips to be properly positioned in lateral relationship relative to adjacent clips as dictated by the length of the pleated portion to be grasped. That is the clips must be more closely arranged for smaller size pleats and more remotely spaced for larger size pleats.

In this connection, if the frame members 17 are laterally spaced approximately five inches from each other, it has been found that the slidable clips may be properly located to accommodate most sizes of drapery pleats frequently encountered.

While it is intended that the respective clips are engaged with a pleated portion of a drape in that such engagement facilitates folding, obviously the clips could be engaged with other portions of the panel being folded. Also, more than one device may be employed in spaced relationship on a work table to facilitate the work of a single workman in folding and holding accordion folds formed in extremely large panels. In this regard, while this invention has been designed primarily for use in the folding and holding of drapery panels, its use in folding and holding of other articles also is contemplated.

Having thus made a full disclosure of this invention reference is directed to the appended claims for the scope to be afforded thereto.

I claim:

1. A method of folding a drapery panel having laterally spaced folded pleat portions adjacent an end thereof and which can be performed by a single workman, which comprises providing on a substantially horizontal work surface a pleat holding device having means supporting a plurality of stacked clips arranged in upright position, positioning said panel on said surface with a side margin of the panel at said pleated end adjacent said holding device, eifecting grasping of a pleated portion at said side margin of the panel with the lowermost of said clips, successively grasping successive pleated portions with succesa sive clips above said lowermost clip, and forming longitudinal U-shaped accordion folds between each pair of the thus grasped plea-ted portions to form a plurality of such folds in stacked upright overlying relationship along the length of said panel.

2. The method of claim 1 wherein after the panel has been thus folded with accordion folds in overlying relationship along the length thereof, and while still supported on said work surface the panel is secured against unfolding, and thereafter the secured panel is disengaged from said clips.

References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,437,084 3/ 1948 Esecson 22328 X 2,863,592 12/1958 Terry 223-33 3,315,852 4/1967 Getchell et al 22332 126,895 5/1872 Metz 269152 681,199 8/1901 Crane 269152 3,058,634 10/ 1962 Wieneke 223--28 3,122,290 2/ 1964 Mitchell 22328 JORDAN FRANKLIN, Primary Examiner.

G. V. LARKIN, Assistant Examiner. 

